Shloka 3.13.25
पञ्चवटी-निर्देशः (Agastya Directs Rama to Panchavati)
अगस्त्येनैवमुक्तस्तु रामस्सौमित्रिणा सह।सत्कृत्यामन्त्रयामास तमृषिं सत्यवादिनम्।।।।
eṣā hi prakṛtiḥ strīṇām āsṛṣṭe raghunandana | samastham anurajyānti viṣamasthaṃ tyajanti ca ||
O delight of the Raghu line, such is said to be the nature of women from the very beginning of creation: they remain attached when circumstances are smooth, and they abandon one who stands in adversity.
Thus addressed by Agastya, Rama with Lakshmana paid respects to the sage wedded to truth and took leave of him.
It frames a contrastive norm to highlight dharma: loyalty in adversity is rare and therefore ethically significant when it occurs.
Agastya makes a general observation about human relationships to underscore the exceptional nature of Sītā’s choice.
By implication, Sītā’s steadfast loyalty is emphasized as surpassing ordinary expectations.